The clinicians and therapists at Apex Neuropsychology Center come from a wide range of disciplines and educational and professional backgrounds. Our clinicians provide a holistic approach to care by relying on their own expertise while keeping up-to-date on the latest evidence-based techniques and treatments.

Carla Arlien, Ph.D.

Carla Arlien, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and founder of Apex Neuropsychology Center, which has locations in Poland, Ohio and Center Township, Pennsylvania. Dr. Arlien received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a Gerontology minor from the University of North Dakota. She earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Arlien completed her internship and fellowship at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

Dr. Arlien is a member of the American Psychological Association, National Academy of Neuropsychology, Ohio Psychological Association, International Neuropsychological Society, Brain Injury Association of Ohio, and Pennsylvania Psychological Association. She has been featured on WKBN-27, and she gives presentations on topics including, but not limited to: Concussion/Traumatic Brain Injury, Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia, Memory Loss, Memory Training, Caregiving, Competency Evaluations, Psychotherapy, and Mental Illness.

Dr. Arlien specializes in neuropsychological assessment (e.g., traumatic brain injury, memory evaluations, competency evaluations, and attention deficit disorder evaluations). She sees patients in Poland, Ohio and Center Township, Pennsylvania offices as well as provides consultation services at Mercy Health St. Elizabeth’s Youngstown Hospital Acute Rehabilitation Unit.

Heather Poma, Psy.D., ABPP,  IMFT-S

Heather Poma, Psy.D., ABPP, IMFT-S is a licensed psychologist and an independent licensed marriage and family therapist. She began working at Apex Neuropsychology Center at the Poland, Ohio location in October of 2014. Dr. Poma received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee.

After her undergraduate work, she joined the United States Army as a mental health specialist, working with active-duty soldiers to address their mental health needs. Following her military service, she earned a master’s and doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she specialized in marriage and family work and became heavily involved with the MMATE Center’s Hope-Focused couples’ therapy project. This remains her primary orientation toward couples’ therapy.

Dr. Poma completed her internship in Clinical Psychology at the Dayton VA Medical Center. She completed her postdoctoral training program in clinical psychology at Portage Path Behavioral Health in Akron, Ohio. Dr. Poma is a member of the American Psychological Association, Ohio Psychological Association, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, Ohio Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, and Christian Association of Psychological Studies.

She also gives presentations on topics including, but not limited to: Marriage Enrichment, Sexual Concerns, Family Issues, Church Responses to Mental Illness, Psychotherapy, and Mental Illness. Dr. Poma provides individual therapy, couples and/or marital therapy, family therapy, therapy to address sexual concerns, and Christian counseling (as well as therapy with other highly religious individuals). She also specializes in psychotherapy/counseling with veteran and military populations (as well as family members) and trauma. Dr. Poma sees children age 4 and up and adults at the Poland, Ohio office.